UPDATE 2-Soccer-Euro-Shevchenko to retire from international football

DONETSK, June 19 (Reuters) - Ukraine striker AndriyShevchenko announced he will retire from international footballafter his country's elimination from Euro 2012 with a 1-0 defeatby England on Tuesday.

Shevchenko, the finest player Ukraine has produced sinceindependence from the Soviet Union, told reporters he intends tosays his farewell in a friendly game before standing down fromnational team duty.

"It was my last official game for Ukraine. A bit later on Iwill arrange a farewell game to say goodbye to supporters.

"What are my plans now? I simply want to go home and put myarms around my kids and kiss my wife," he said.

The 35-year-old, who is his country's youngest and oldestgoalscorer and record marksman with 48 goals in 111 appearances,started on the bench against England due to a knee injury.

Former AC Milan and Chelsea forward Shevchenko began thetournament in grand style with both goals in the co-hosts's 2-1comeback victory over Sweden.

Shevchenko was European Footballer of the Year in 2004, thefirst and only Ukrainian to win the award, and was UkrainianFootballer of the Year on six occasions.

The striker's current deal with Dynamo Kiev, the club wherehe began his career before moving to Milan, is due to expire inJuly and he has expressed interest in a move to North America'sMajor League Soccer.

Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin said after the England defeat hewas looking to younger players ahead of the qualifying campaignfor the 2014 World Cup in Brazil which starts in September.

Shevchenko said he was pleased that Ukraine had the talentto continue to progress in the international game after atournament where they held their own for large stretches againstFrance and England before losing to both.

"I hope our supporters are happy with our performance. I amglad for our young players who played well tonight. This teamhas a bright future," he said.